Development of a team-specific research strategy using a modified Delphi method in a regional public hospital dietetics department.

OBJECTIVE: Evaluate research capacity and culture among regional hospital dietitians, develop a team specific research strategy, and build research skills of novice researchers. METHODS: The Research Capacity in Context Tool was used to assess current research capacity and culture at organisational, team and individual levels. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis of free text responses. A modified Delphi method gained consensus regarding research capacity building. DESIGN: Mixed method study. SETTING: Dietetics department of a regional tertiary hospital (Modified Monash Category 2). PARTICIPANTS: All clinical dietitians currently employed within the hospital (n = 20) regardless of employment duration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Self-rated response to research capacity and culture to produce a dietetics-specific research strategy. RESULTS: Fifteen dietitians (75%) completed the Research Capacity in Context Tool. The overall mean score was highest at an organisational level at 7.9 (IQR 2), and lowest at team and individual levels at 4.3 (IQR 2.7) and 4.9 (IQR 3.3) respectively. Common barriers to research included time, lack of skills, knowledge and support. Using the modified Delphi method 39 statements relating to research capacity building met consensus and informed the creation of a research strategy. CONCLUSION: The results of the Research Capacity in Context Tool from this regional study reflect those reported in the literature at metropolitan sites. A dietetic-specific research strategy was developed to assist with increasing research capacity at a team and individual level in a regional setting. Evaluation of long-term outcomes post implementation will be the subject of further research.

Adherence to suggestions after dermatology consultation in a tertiary hospital - a retrospective analysis.

Dermatology consultation is a valuable inpatient service in Australian hospitals. Adherence rates to consultative advice in international literature range between 67.4% and 93%. This study identifies that adherence rates to suggested investigations and management in a tertiary Australian hospital are at the lower end of the range reported in previous literature.

The proliferation of multidisciplinary team meetings (MDTMs): how can radiology departments continue to support them all?

OBJECTIVES: To quantify the changes in multidisciplinary team meeting (MDTM) workload for consultant radiologists working in a single UK tertiary referral cancer institution, assess its impact and suggest solutions to these challenges. METHODS: The annual number of MDTM cases was collated over a 5-year period (2009 - 2013). Qualitative information was obtained through questionnaire-based interviews of 47 consultant radiologists. Data analysed included number of MDTMs involved with, type of MDTM (oncological or non-oncological), time allocation for preparation and perceived deficiencies in the current MDTM. RESULTS: Thirteen thousand and forty-nine cases were discussed in MDTMs in 2009 with a continued yearly increase over the 5-year period. Fifty-five percent of MDTM attendances were at oncological MDTMs. Consultant radiologists attended a median of two MDTMs per week, each requiring 4 hours time commitment; 60 % used out-of-hours time for MDTM preparation. The most frequently cited MDTM deficiency was lack of sufficient clinical input. CONCLUSIONS: The MDTM is a challenging but worthwhile demand on the modern radiologist's time. Solutions to the increasing MDTM workload include demonstration of the benefits of MDTMs to hospital administrators to justify additional resources required, improving MDTM efficiency and ensuring this increased workload is accurately represented and remunerated in individual job plans. KEY POINTS: • MDTMs improve cancer outcomes and are being recommended for non-oncological conditions. • MDTM cases have more than doubled over 5 years at our institution. • Incorporating MDTM workload into current consultant radiologist job plans is difficult. • Solutions include demonstrating MDTM related benefits, improved efficiency, and accurate job planning.

Outcomes of high-risk obstetric transfers in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory: The High-Risk Obstetric Transfer Study.

BACKGROUND: In New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, in utero transfers to manage maternal or neonatal risks are highly challenging owing to geography and centralisation of tertiary perinatal care. AIMS: The study aims to document the outcomes of high-risk obstetric transfers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted from 2010 to 2011 documenting urgent requests for obstetric transfers to tertiary centres across NSW/ACT for pregnancies 20 weeks' gestation or greater. Outcomes of transfers were allocated apriori to 'delivered at the receiving hospital', 'failed/delayed transfer' or 'discharged/transferred undelivered'. Our hypothesis is that each outcome has a specific group of associated clinical factors. RESULTS: Of the 249 transfer requests included in the study, 40% delivered at the receiving hospital, 7% were failed/delayed transfers, and 45% were discharged/transferred undelivered. Cases delivering at the receiving hospital were significantly associated with older mothers, twin pregnancies, pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) or premature rupture of membranes (PROM) with/without threatened preterm labour (TPL) as the indications for transfer and having three indications for transfer. Cases that were discharged/transferred undelivered were significantly associated with singleton pregnancies, TPL and/or antepartum haemorrhage (APH) as the indication for transfer and having one indication for transfer. There were no significantly associated factors for failed/delayed transfers. CONCLUSIONS: The study confirms the hypothesis that particular transfer outcomes are associated with different factors. The findings also show that less than half of urgent obstetric transfers result in delivery at the receiving hospital, suggesting that there exists significant opportunities for further research into predicting preterm delivery, thereby improving the care of women with high-risk pregnancies.

Impact of a financial incentive policy on Korean nurse staffing.

AIM: This study was designed to determine (1) the impact of policy on longitudinal changes in nurse staffing levels and (2) the characteristics of policy-responsive Korean hospitals. BACKGROUND: A policy of varying nursing fees according to staffing grade by measuring the nurse-to-bed ratio has been implemented in Korean hospitals since 1999 with the aim of satisfying patient care needs and providing safe and high-quality nursing care. METHODS: Nurse staffing hospital characteristics data were collected from Korean Hospital Nurses Association yearbooks for the period 1996-2011. The obtained time series nurse staffing data were analysed by assessing the nurse-to-bed ratio. Graphs were used to view nurse staffing trends in various nursing units by hospital type during the study period. Mixed repeated-measures modelling was used to analyse nurse staffing and hospital characteristics, with year categorized as a dummy variable. There were 585 and 1239 observations related to measurements of nurse staffing grade in 44 tertiary and 193 general hospitals, respectively. For measuring the nurse staffing grade in intensive care units, the number of observations for general hospitals was decreased to 1170. RESULTS: Long-term nurse staffing in general and intensive care units was improved post-policy compared with pre-policy in both tertiary and general hospitals. Nurse staffing was improved more in Seoul than in other areas and was significantly better for hospitals with more beds for both hospital types. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Although the financial incentive policy implemented in Korea has had an overall positive result on nurse staffing, the effect was not assure in small-sized hospitals in rural area. A more refined method for calculating nurse staffing and increasing financial incentives relative to staffing grade is needed to improve hospital nurse staffing.

High comorbidity burden and low incidence of adverse events in primary shoulder arthroplasty in tertiary care at a university hospital.

Background: Reducing perioperative risk is in the focus of primary arthroplasty caregivers. Primary shoulder arthroplasty patients are considered among those with the lowest perioperative risk. Nonetheless, in tertiary care centres and university settings patients with significant comorbidities are being treated. It remains unclear whether the overall comorbidity burden is truly higher and if this results in an increased frequency of adverse events (AE). As a result, we conducted a study to assess the comorbidity burden and the frequency of major perioperative adverse events and predictive factors following primary shoulder arthroplasty in the university setting. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on patients undergoing primary shoulder arthroplasty for a non-trauma, non-tumour indication from January 1st, 2014 through December 31st, 2018. Administrative data were recorded to assess comorbidity burden and revision surgery within the first postoperative year. Major adverse events were routinely recorded on a weekly basis by the treating physicians. Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed. The cohort was compared against a large North American sample. Results: Of 386 patients who underwent 400 primary shoulder arthroplasties 14 (3.5 %) experienced adverse events. While AE were distributed equally among anatomical and reverse shoulder arthroplasties, no adverse event was recorded in the 34 hemiarthroplasty patients. The cohort showed an increased comorbidity burden in international comparison. Peptic ulcer disease was significantly associated with AE, while mild liver disease experienced a trend towards AE. Conclusion: We found an increased comorbidity burden and a low rate of AE for primary shoulder arthroplasty in a tertiary care and university setting. The distinct role of peptic ulcer disease in this cohort and the trend in mild liver disease merit further investigation in larger samples. The findings underscore the importance of perioperative risk assessment and management. Level of evidence: III, retrospective cohort study.

Pre-eclampsia training needs of midwives in a Ghanaian tertiary hospital: A cross-sectional study.

AIM: This study aimed to assess the specific clinical and non-clinical training needs of midwives and determine their preferred approach to enhancing performance. BACKGROUND: Pre-eclampsia remains one of the leading causes of maternal deaths in low and middle-income countries. Pre-eclampsia-related deaths may be due to reduced midwifery knowledge and inadequate management. Therefore, a training needs assessment is vital in identifying gaps in practice, especially, in poorly resourced settings for maximal use of training resources. DESIGN: A hospital-based cross-sectional study. SETTING: The largest tertiary hospital in Ghana. METHODS: An online version of the validated WHO Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Analysis questionnaire was used to assess midwives' training needs on the management of pre-eclampsia. The tool has good psychometric properties and was used to assess 1) midwives' confidence in performing tasks, 2) the importance of the task to their role and 3) their preferred performance improvement approach. Data analysis adhered to the guidelines specified in the Hennessy-Hicks Training Needs Analysis Questionnaire and the priority training requirements of the midwives were assessed through descriptive statistics and a series of independent t-tests. RESULTS: Among the 250 midwives who responded, most possessed 1-5 years of experience (74.7 %). All 28 tasks were viewed by midwives as essential responsibilities in pre-eclampsia management. Midwives had the greatest need for training in research/audit and clinical skills domains respectively (p < 0.001, 95 % confidence interval: 1.08-1.47, Cohen's-D = 1.27; and p < 0.001, 95 % confidence interval: 0.69-1.06, Cohen's-D = 0.87). The foremost primary training necessity, as recognised by midwives, was undertaking health promotion activities, including antenatal health education (MD= 0.43, 95 % confidence interval: 0.29-0.57). Training courses were identified as the preferred approach to address training needs and improve overall proficiency. CONCLUSION: Midwives in Ghana require comprehensive training covering research and clinical-based competencies to improve pre-eclampsia management. Considering the pivotal role of Ghanaian midwives in safeguarding maternal well-being, there is a compelling need to enhance the calibre of midwifery services. These findings can guide stakeholders in countries with comparable healthcare contexts in creating effective, resource-efficient training programs that avoid counterproductivity, ultimately supporting national initiatives to enhance pre-eclampsia management and the quality of care.

The impact of additional pathology analysis on the diagnosis and management of soft tissue tumours: a 10-year retrospective study.

In order to characterise soft tissue tumours, pathologists often utilise specialised additional tests, or may seek opinions from subspecialist pathologists due to rarity or complex morphology. Additionally, further review may be sought by subspecialist sarcoma pathologists, such as those at our tertiary referral centre in Sydney, Australia. The aim of this study was to examine the impact on diagnosis and management of this external review, following diagnosis at a specialised sarcoma unit. We collated the results of all additional external ancillary tests and specialist reviews over a 10-year period and characterised the impact on the preliminary diagnosis as 'confirmed', 'new' or 'no clear diagnosis'. We subsequently noted whether the additional findings resulted in a clinically significant change in management. Of the 136 cases sent away, 103 patients had their initial diagnosis confirmed, 29 patients received a new diagnosis and, for four patients, the diagnosis remained uncertain. Nine of the 29 patients receiving a new diagnosis had their management altered. This study demonstrated that within our specialised sarcoma unit, the majority of diagnoses provided by our specialist pathologists are confirmed on additional external testing and review, but external review does provide additional assurance and benefit to the patient.

Does registered nurse involvement in improving healthcare services, influence registered nurse retention?

Background: Registered nurses are 'critical' to population health, international responses to emergencies, epidemics and disasters. Retention of registered nurses (RNs) is an international nursing priority. In England, RNs are encouraged to be involved in improving healthcare services. This benefits quality of care, operational and financial performance. However, RN involvement in improvement may reduce RN retention. It is important to understand this relationship when developing effective RN retention strategies. Aim: The purpose of this research is to describe possible relationships between RN involvement in improving healthcare services and RN retention, using published 2018 data for National Health Service (NHS) Trusts in England. Methods: The relationship between RN involvement in improving healthcare services and RN retention was explored using a correlational design, involving secondary data from the annual NHS Staff Survey and Model Hospital. Results: In mental health NHS Trusts in England, a statistically significant, positive correlation of 0.24 was found between RN 'ab(ility) to make suggestions for improvement' and RN retention. In mental health NHS Trusts, a statistically significant correlation of 0.278 was found between RNs 'making improvements happen' and RN retention. In acute NHS Trusts in England, a statistically significant, negative correlation of -0.15 was identified between RNs 'mak(ing) improvements happen' and RN retention. Conclusions: The findings suggest that RN retention factors in mental health and acute NHS Trusts differ from community and specialist NHS Trusts in England. This is an important consideration for national RN retention programmes as a single approach to RN retention may not be effective across all healthcare settings.

Patient Characteristics Associated with Operative Treatment for Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries at Two Tertiary Referral Hospitals in a Single US Metropolitan Area.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to identify patient-related and socioeconomic factors associated with the operative treatment of adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPI) at two tertiary referral centres in a single metropolitan area in the United States. The secondary objective was to assess surgeon variability in operative treatment. Methods: Adult patients with traumatic BPI at two tertiary referral centres in a single metropolitan area from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively identified. After applying exclusion criteria, 84 adult patients with traumatic BPI treated by 22 surgeons were included. Our response variable was operative treatment of the traumatic BPI. Bi-variate screen was performed, and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with operative treatment. Surgeon variability was separately assessed using Fisher's exact test. Results: The mean age of the study cohort was 45 years, and 69% were male. The most common BPI pattern was a global injury (39%) followed by an upper trunk injury (23%). Thirty-eight patients (45%) underwent operative treatment for the traumatic BPI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger age and out-of-state referral were associated with operative treatment. There was significant surgeon variation in the utilisation of operative treatment. Conclusions: Out-of-state patients had more than four times higher odds of operative treatment, suggesting a regional practise pattern in which BPI requiring surgery are referred from surrounding states to our tertiary centres. Supra-regional BPI centres may facilitate timely referrals for specialty care. High-quality outcomes research in BPI is needed to mitigate surgeon treatment variation. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

An epidemiological study of neuroendocrine tumours at tertiary hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim Neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) are a heterogeneous group of tumours with varying clinical expression and behaviour. Because of indolent behaviour of NENs, reviewing and evaluation of epidemiological characteristics is a challenge. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of NENs at tertiary hospitals considering age, gender, location, and grade. Methods Electronic files were used for a retrospective assessment of the patients with NENs of the gastroenteropancreatic tract and bronchopulmonary system in tertiary hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina over the past 15 years (2005-2020). Results Among 438 patients, 291(66.4%) were males and 147 (33.6%) females; the median age was 62 years. The lungs were the most frequent site, 304 (69.4%), followed by the pancreas, 22 (5.0%), colon, 14 (3.2%), stomach, 13 (2.9%), appendix, 13 (2.9%), rectum,11 (2.5%), small intestine, eight (1.8%) and gallbladder, one (0.2%). Metastases were most frequently found in the liver, 35 (8%) and lymph nodes, 15 (3.42%). Conclusion The results were largely consistent with those in literature, including age, gender, location, and the degree of differentiation. Most metastases originated from high-grade tumours and greater impairment of the liver.

Testicular germ-cell tumours and penile squamous cell carcinoma: Appropriate management makes the difference.

Germ-cell tumours (GCT) of the testis and penile squamous cell carcinoma (PeSCC) are a rare and a very rare uro-genital cancers, respectively. Both tumours are well defined entities in terms of management, where specific recommendations - in the form of continuously up-to-dated guide lines-are provided. Impact of these tumour is relevant. Testicular GCT affects young, healthy men at the beginning of their adult life. PeSCC affects older men, but a proportion of these patients are young and the personal consequences of the disease may be devastating. Deviation from recommended management may be a reason of a significant prognostic worsening, as proper treatment favourably impacts on these tumours, dramatically on GCT and significantly on PeSCC. RARECAREnet data may permit to analyse how survivals may vary according to geographical areas, histology and age, leading to assume that non-homogeneous health-care resources may impact the cure and definitive outcomes. In support of this hypothesis, some epidemiologic datasets and clinical findings would indicate that survival may improve when appropriate treatments are delivered, linked to a different accessibility to the best health institutions, as a consequence of geographical, cultural and economic barriers. Finally, strong clues based on epidemiological and clinical data support the hypothesis that treatment delivered at reference centres or under the aegis of a qualified multi-institutional network is associated with a better prognosis of patients with these malignancies. The ERN EURACAN represents the best current European effort to answer this clinical need.

Clinical importance of re-interpretation of PET/CT scanning in patients referred to a tertiary care medical centre.

PURPOSE: To evaluate, in a controlled prospective manner with double-blind read, whether there are differences in interpretations of PET/CT scans at our tertiary medical centre, Rigshospitalet, compared to the external hospitals. METHODS: Ninety consecutive patients referred to our department who had an external F-18-FDG PET/CT scan were included. Only information that had been available at the time of the initial reading at the external hospital was available at re-interpretation. Teams with one radiologist and one nuclear medicine physician working side by side performed the re-interpretation in consensus. Two oncologists subsequently and independently compared the original reports with the re-interpretation reports. In case of 'major discordance', the oncologists assessed the respective reports validities. RESULTS: The interpretations were graded as 'accordant' in 43 patients (48%), 'minor discordance' in 30 patients (33%) and 'major discordance' in 17 patients (19%). In 11 (65%) of the 17 cases graded as 'major discordance', it was possible to determine which report that was most correct. In 9 of these 11 cases (82%), the re-interpretation was most correct; in one case, the original report and in another case, both interpretations were incorrect. CONCLUSIONS: Major discordant interpretations were frequent [19% (17 of 90 cases)]. In those cases where follow-up could assess the validity, the re-interpretation at Rigshospitalet was most correct in 9 of 11 cases (82%), indicating that there is a difference in expertise in interpreting PET/CT at a tertiary referral hospital compared to primary local hospitals.

Bone Anchored Hearing Aid (BAHA) in children: Experience of a tertiary referral centre in Portugal.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to describe the experience of a tertiary referral centre in Portugal, of the placement of BAHA in children. METHODS: The authors performed a retrospective analysis of all children for whom hearing rehabilitation with BAHA was indicated at a central hospital, between January 2003 and December 2014. RESULTS: 53 children were included. The most common indications for placement of BAHA were external and middle ear malformations (n=34, 64%) and chronic otitis media with difficult to control otorrhea (n=9, 17%). The average age for BAHA placement was 10.66±3.44 years. The average audiometric gain was 31.5±7.20dB compared to baseline values, with average hearing threshold with BAHA of 19.6±5.79dB. The most frequent postoperative complications were related to the skin (n=15, 28%). There were no major complications. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that BAHA is an effective and safe method of hearing rehabilitation in children.

Optimising the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Unit to Improve Quality of Care: Expert Recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: The best care setting for patients with inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] may be in a dedicated unit. Whereas not all gastroenterology units have the same resources to develop dedicated IBD facilities and services, there are steps that can be taken by any unit to optimise patients' access to interdisciplinary expert care. A series of pragmatic recommendations relating to IBD unit optimisation have been developed through discussion among a large panel of international experts. METHODS: Suggested recommendations were extracted through systematic search of published evidence and structured requests for expert opinion. Physicians [n = 238] identified as IBD specialists by publications or clinical focus on IBD were invited for discussion and recommendation modification [Barcelona, Spain; 2014]. Final recommendations were voted on by the group. Participants also completed an online survey to evaluate their own experience related to IBD units. RESULTS: A total of 60% of attendees completed the survey, with 15% self-classifying their centre as a dedicated IBD unit. Only half of respondents indicated that they had a defined IBD treatment algorithm in place. Key recommendations included the need to develop a multidisciplinary team covering specifically-defined specialist expertise in IBD, to instil processes that facilitate cross-functional communication and to invest in shared care models of IBD management. CONCLUSIONS: Optimising the setup of IBD units will require progressive leadership and willingness to challenge the status quo in order to provide better quality of care for our patients. IBD units are an important step towards harmonising care for IBD across Europe and for establishing standards for disease management programmes.